Military Museum, Collins Barracks
Defence Forces museum in the old guard room of Collins Barracks in Cork, with uniforms, barracks history and a collection of Michael Collins's belongings.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Military Museum at Collins Barracks in Cork opened in 1985 in the Clock Tower Block and moved in 2005 to the Old Guard Room, one of the oldest buildings in the barracks, just inside the old main gate. It tells the history of the barracks, the history and traditions of the Irish Defence Forces and the story of General Michael Collins.
The barracks on the Rath Mór townland above the city was started in 1801 as part of Britain's response to the threat of Revolutionary France and was occupied by British troops from 1806. It served as a staging post in several conflicts, and British troops left it in May 1922 when it was handed over to the local IRA brigade. After the Second World War emergency it became a garrison of the Irish Army, and President John F. Kennedy visited it in 1963.
The collection includes military uniforms from the nineteenth century to today and a display about Irish service with the United Nations, which began with the 32nd Battalion in the Congo in 1960. One main attraction is the group of objects that belonged to Michael Collins, most of them given to the museum in 1993 by his nephew. They include his greatcoat, two revolvers, his War of Independence medal, rosary beads and the diary he carried on 22 August 1922, the day he was killed.
Highlights
- Personal items of Michael Collins, including his greatcoat, revolvers and diary
- Military uniforms from the 1800s to the present
- History of Collins Barracks since 1806
- Display on Irish peacekeeping with the United Nations
- Housed in one of the oldest buildings of the barracks
Permanent exhibition
- Collins Barracks Military Museum collection – Uniforms, barracks history, United Nations service and a collection of personal belongings of General Michael Collins.
- Founded
- 1985
- Operated by
- Irish Defence Forces
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
The museum is in the Old Guard Room just inside the old main gate of Collins Barracks on Old Youghal Road.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Good to know | The museum is inside a working military barracks. The curator can be reached by telephone for enquiries. |
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